Mujin, also known as the little monk here, was a dimensional being who came from the Middle Realm.
He was a member of the shaman faction located in Mount Moondang, and he was a scholar who studied the Tao.
Now, what does it mean to be a scholar?
Among shamans, there are those who study the Tao, known as Taoists, and those who practice martial arts, known as martial artists. The former are referred to as scholars.
Among these scholars, Mujin was special. It was because he could see the perfect harmony of yin and yang.
However, sadly, he couldn’t use this power.
The elders of the sect lamented Mujin’s constitution, but Mujin himself didn’t mind much.
As a shaman who could see the Taegeuk, it was an unparalleled blessing.
Thanks to this blessing, he could survive even in distant dimensions away from his homeland.
And now.
Mujin could see someone embodying the perfect harmony of yin and yang.
The deputy Director of the association, who occasionally visited to help the dimensional beings, introduced that man.
“I apologize for the late introduction due to the circumstances. This is Mujin, and here’s the sponsor for Mujin, the hunter, Dok Jong-sik.”
“My sponsor?”
“Yeah. I heard your protection period as a dimensional being is ending soon, right?”
‘He heard. That’s why he was diligently attending the adaptation classes for life in Korea.’
‘Of course, there was an incident where the instructor attacked the dimensional beings, but that’s beside the point.’
‘Anyway.’
“Yes. I know that when the time comes, I’ll have to leave the association and live independently.”
Other dimensional beings were told that because of their exceptional abilities, even after their protection period ended, the association would provide substantial support.
Of course, that didn’t apply to Mujin. He had no knowledge of alien flora, no tactics for monsters, and no ability to manipulate water or fire.
“Yeah, but living independently as a dimensional being won’t be easy, right? It’s probably going to be quite challenging. That’s why this person offered to sponsor you, Mujin. He said He’ll provide you with good food, a place to sleep, and even education. So, let’s greet Him. What are you doing?”
Jong-sik nodded at the deputy Director’s explanation. It all made sense.
Meanwhile, Mujin looked at Jong-sik with wide eyes. Then, he quickly composed himself and politely greeted him.
“I’m sorry for the late greeting. I am Mujin, who came from the Middle Realm.”
“Nice to meet you, Mujin. You can call me Uncle Jong-sik if you’re comfortable with it.”
“……”
“Well, if it’s uncomfortable, you can take your time to call me.”
“I am infinitely grateful for the grace you have bestowed upon a mere monk. But may I inquire about the reason for your assistance?”
For a ten-year-old, his behavior is too polite. Suddenly, Jong-sik thought of his colleague from beyond the dimension.
“He’s unpredictable. Haven’t heard from him in a while.”
Even his colleague, Monk Malko, often repeated the phrase “unpredictable, unpredictable,” chanting the Tao.
‘And he had said something like this before. When facing those in dire straits, he would unhesitatingly acknowledge their situation.’
Now, those words came out of Jong-sik’s mouth.
“Heaven helps those who help themselves. Do you need a reason to help?”
“Ah! Unpredictable, unpredictable.”
Malko simply uttered the words as a habit, but Mujin kept nodding repeatedly while chanting the Tao.
‘Within one, there is everything, and within everything, there is one. One is everything, and everything is one….’
Recalling a passage from the scriptures, Mujin reflected on his suspicion of Jong-sik’s kindness.
“A mere monk who studies the Tao expresses his gratitude for the grace bestowed upon him. I apologize.”
“Apology for what… It’s only natural to have doubts. Especially here in Korea.”
Jong-sik didn’t think much of the boy’s reaction and continued speaking.
He had seen similar behavior from his colleague, Malko, many times before.
‘Taoists find enlightenment in the most unexpected places.’
“Anyway, the detailed sponsorship terms will be explained by the deputy Director. Listen to them, decide, and let us know. It’s a bit of a long story to discuss here….”
“Yes. I will do so.”
Meanwhile, the public service hunters who had been searching inside D block returned.
“Everything’s clear inside. We’ve finished checking D block, so we’ll go out and search the exterior again.”
Jong-sik only had to worry about Mujin’s safety, but the public service hunters didn’t.
They had to watch over both the dimensional beings and the visitors to the association.
So they began preparing to withdraw from D block. The deputy Director also bid farewell to Jong-sik.
“Sorry for this happening just as you arrived. And thank you for your great help in getting here. Thanks to you, the suppression process went smoothly.”
“Are you going to leave with us, deputy Director?”
“Given my title as deputy Director, I should naturally be with the public service hunters. Knowing the tactics made it easy to suppress. Fortunately, guild members nearby are also coming to support us. The only worry is the dimensional beings….”
The deputy Director’s gaze fell on the dimensional beings. He had asked Jong-sik to look after them.
“Since it’s been reported that the inside of D block is clean, I would feel reassured if Hunter Dok Jong-sik stayed in D block until the situation is completely under control. Would you help?”
“That’s a given. After all, my purpose here is to protect and sponsor the dimensional beings. I need to stay here at times like this. That’s why I came.”
“Thank you. Thanks to you, I feel much relieved.”
Naturally, Jong-sik accepted the offer, and the deputy Director breathed a sigh of relief.
At that moment, the dimensional beings who had been listening to their conversation began to speak up.
“Just a moment. Why aren’t you asking for our opinion? We don’t plan to stay quiet in D block.”
“We’ll help.”
“Just make sure Mujin stays safe.”
“The association has been working hard for us all this time. It’s time for us to lend a hand too.”
***
[Breaking news: A terrorist attack has occurred targeting the Hunter Association today. It is confirmed that nearly 150 casualties have occurred as a result of this attack. This is a lower number compared to the association’s visitors. This is confirmed due to the cooperation between the dimensional beings and the public service hunters. The government has strongly urged for a response. Martial law is declared as of now. Door-to-door searches will be conducted to arrest the remaining insurgents, and integrated defense training, including civilian militia mobilization, will take place next week. For more details…]
“Wow, 150? That’s a lot of casualties. Tut-tut. I wonder which villainous organization is behind this one. Seriously.”
Jong-sik, who was preparing dinner, shook his head while watching TV.
Then, Jong-sik, who was filling an empty water bottle, replied.
“What villainous organization? Most of the association’s employees were involved. There were even receptionists among them. So don’t judge people just by their appearance. Don’t just follow anyone who asks for help. And always carry your equipment when going out.”
“Why are you treating me like a kid? Leave that kind of talk to Yeona or Haeli… Wait a minute. The association’s employees were terrorists?”
“Huh.”
The information was not in the news bulletin. Also, there seemed to be no falsehood in his brother’s words.
‘In other words, it was the truth. So how did his brother know such information?’
Jong-pal blinked his eyes and asked.
“How do you know that, hyung? Have you heard something? And receptionists? They’re not ordinary hunters, most of them are civilian hunters…. Are you saying they’re terrorists? That can’t be true.”
“It’s hard to believe, but I saw it with my own eyes.”
“What? How did you see that, hyung?”
“I visited the association earlier. Didn’t I mention it? Anyway, I saw it firsthand there.”
So, was his brother at the scene of the terrorist attack now?
Jong-pal rushed over to Jong-sik, his eyes wide with alarm.
“Oh, really. Why are you only saying this now? Let me see. Are you okay? Are you injured-!”
“Haha. Why is he like this.”
Jong-sik chuckled as he held his brother’s shoulders and carefully examined him.
Always worrying, even though there was no need to.
Jong-sik liked his brother like that. It had been several months since he returned to Earth, but every time this happened, he felt the reality of coming home, of meeting family.
“Do you really have to fuss like this? When did you start believing in superstitions like that?”
Jong-sik chuckled and said, and Jong-pal muttered under his breath, shaking his head.
“Ah, really, hyung. You find this situation funny? I’m being serious here. Are you really okay, not injured or anything?”
“I’ve told you several times. There’s no need to worry.”
“Ugh. Is it really that easy as you say? Seriously…. But why did you suddenly go there? I thought you were going to check the blacksmith’s site. You even took lunch with you.”
“I stopped by the blacksmith’s site on the way to the association. I went to the association to see someone.”
“Someone? Someone I know?”
Jong-sik thought it was the perfect time. He had been wondering when to bring up the topic, and now seemed like the right timing.
Jong-sik shared about purchasing nearby real estate along with bringing back the dimensional being once the terrorist investigation was concluded and Mujin made his decision.
“Really admirable, hyung.”
Hearing that, Jong-pal responded with a puzzled expression.
“Admirable? What does that mean? “
Jong-sik asked in return.
“What’s with the sudden words?”
“It’s typically you to come up with such a plan. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. That’s your motto, right? To repay favors received from colleagues by taking care of their families.”
“Ah, whatever.”
“Anyway, I respect my brother. I wouldn’t have even thought of such a thing if I were you.”
“Well, you, Trigo, who takes care of Haeli so frugally, you shouldn’t say that.”
“That’s… well….”
“Anyway, can I bring in a new member of the family?”
In response to Jong-sik’s question about bringing a new family member, Jong-pal gladly nodded.
“What’s there to ask me? If it’s your decision, I’m always welcome. Bring them over whenever you want.”
He knew that would be his answer.
Listening firsthand made Jong-sik feel relieved.
Jong-sik smiled at his brother. That was when it happened.
There’s a delicious smell in the air. Huh? Hyung, how long have you been here? Aren’t you supposed to be somewhere else?
Trigo, who had gone to supervise the construction site at the blacksmith’s, returned, leading the workers.
“I just got back. I’ve already been there and come back. I’m here to help Jong-pal at the restaurant. Anyway, come on in, everyone. Feel free to come in too, those at the back.”
Jong-pal had closed the afternoon business to treat Trigo and the construction workers to dinner. He was hosting them.
Thanks to that, the restaurant staff could leave work early, and Jong-sik was free and had nothing to do, so he decided to help.
That’s why Jong-sik helped Jong-pal, and he was faithfully fulfilling his role.
Jong-sik called over the workers who were standing awkwardly, guiding them to their seats.
But it seemed like there were more people than he had expected…?
At that moment, someone beyond the store’s door pretended to know Jong-sik.
“Commander. We’ve also come along.”
It was overwhelming to be called comamnder by the blacksmith’s workers.
“I’ve also come. Commander.”
“Hehe. Me too.”
“You’re open for business, right?”
They were hunters who participated in the operation together, including the current captain, Kang Chang-soo, and others. They couldn’t forget the taste of the lunch Jong-sik brought, so they rushed to Dok’s Restaurant as soon as the “Demon” transportation operation was over.
Then they coincidentally ran into Trigo on his way back.
Why did everyone come today of all days? Jong-sik felt he needed to sort out the situation.
Approaching his colleagues, Jong-sik firmly said, “You should have contacted me before coming. The afternoon business ended early today.”
“Oh, um. So, no meal?”
“What about them…?”
“They came here to assist us, so my brother decided to treat them separately. That’s why we deliberately ended business early today. Hmm.”
The faces of the hunters representing Korea turned grim at Jong-sik’s sharp words.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group, except for Trigo, looked awkwardly at the hunters who’s about to eat.
An uncomfortable atmosphere filled the store.
A moment later, Jong-pal, who understood the situation, rushed out with a handful of wooden chopsticks to stop Jong-sik.
“Hey, hyung. What will happen if we turn away the guests who came all the way here? Just let them in. There’s still plenty of room. Everyone, please come in comfortably.”
“…Is it really okay?”
“Of course. And it’s about time we treated your colleagues too. They came at the right time.”
“Then, I guess we’ll go in without any reservations.”
“Haha! Thank you. Oh, the food you provided was delicious. It was amazing!”
The hunters cheered and took their seats one by one. Jong-sik looked at his brother, asking if he was okay, and Jong-pal smiled as if to say not to worry.
That’s how Dok’s restaurant became filled with guests.
